Liberal Democrat Newnham Ward Cllr Jake Sampson ran a Young People's Political Workshop as part of BedPop's Fun Palaces in Bedford at the weekend. Following the event, Cllr Sampson commented on a 'great day' at The Higgins Bedford with lots of young people taking part.
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The Lib Dems have called on Surrey County Council to back a bill that would increase the fines for leaving vehicles idling and make it easier to levy fines.
Responding to the reports from a leaked document stating that the Department for International Trade will try to lower the UK's food standards to secure a trade deal with the United States, Liberal Democrat shadow Foreign Secretary Chuka Umunna said:
Antony Hook discussed with Irish MEP Billy Kelleher, from Fianna Fáil, the importance of an open border between Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland and why Boris Johnson's latest proposals to the EU threaten the peace on the island of Ireland.
Brexit continues to cause damage to the economy Every day that passes since the 2016 Referendum, the UK is hit by its consequential impact, locally, nationally and internationally. Brexiteers can continue to claim that the decision to Leave has had nil impact on the country's economy and jobs but the evidence is clear, the UK is no longer the welcoming, open nation and individuals are taking action to protect their lives, their businesses and investments and the future of their families. This reckless Brexit government are hellbent on dragging us out into the cold just as the impact of Johnson's fellow traveller Trump's trade war begins to bite and recessions loom. There is only one way to stop the damaging uncertainty and that is to STOP BREXIT and Revoke Article 50. We are still only at stage one in what will continue to be an endless war of words and bitter negotiations for years to come. For everyone's sake. Liberal Democrats are saying - end this mess now and REMAIN in the EU with the best Deal we have
Wera Hobhouse, Liberal Democrat MP for Bath and spokesperson for Energy Security and Net Zero, called on the government to provide incentives for energy providers to develop solar power in the UK.
Mrs Hobhouse slammed the government for falling behind on meeting the UK’s renewable targets for solar energy capacity. The government plans to deploy 70 GW of solar power across the country by 2035. However, as of 2022, the UK had only installed 14.3 GW of solar pv.
Following a visit to a rooftop solar system installed by Bath & West Community Energy (BWCE) at Beechen Cliff School last year, Wera Hobhouse is keen to encourage the development of similar solar projects across Bath. The solar system is predicted to significantly cut the school’s fuel costs and reduce their carbon emissions by 52 tonnes a year.
In the House of Commons on the 27th February, the Bath MP noted that the UK is lagging behind the rest of the world in renewable energy investment, she urged the government to offer incentives to energy providers to improve solar capacity.
However, Andrew Bowie, Parliamentary Under Secretary for Energy Security and Net Zero, ignored Hobhouse’s proposals, failing to describe the ways in which the government could incentivise solar energy. Instead, Bowie said that the government’s Solar Taskforce would publish recommendations for solar power and reiterated the government’s target to deploy 70 GW by 2035.
Wera Hobhouse, Liberal Democrat MP for Bath and spokesperson for Energy Security and Net Zero, commented:
“The Conservatives are falling dangerously behind on meeting our targets for renewable energy production. It is no good the government setting an ambitious 70 GW solar target if they are nowhere near reaching it.
“It is clear that they have no plan to get us back on track to reach Net Zero. Evidently, they are more than happy to dismiss perfectly good proposals like incentivising solar power. That is why I am so proud that Bath is home to many community energy projects like the solar system at Beechen Cliff School, so that we can lead the way in renewables.”
“It is not just our climate targets harmed by the Conservatives’ delay. Families in Bath and across the country are struggling to pay soaring energy bills which investment in renewables could curb. That is why we Liberal Democrats would build significantly more renewable energy, aiming to generate 80% of our electricity from renewables by 2030.”
Peter Capener, Managing Director of Bath & West Community Energy said:
“Our work with schools is really demonstrating the value of community energy in both addressing the climate crisis and reducing fuel bills. Rooftop solar installed last year has already saved local schools a combined total of £134,209 and has reduced carbon emissions by 224.3 tonnes, which is equivalent to 12,173 journeys from Bath to Edinburgh by train!”
